Method and apparatus for molding a laminated trim component without use of slip frame

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is based on and claims the priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application 10 2004 034 792.1, filed on Jul. 19, 2004, and European Patent Application 0 50 04 510.3, filed Mar. 2, 2005, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for molding products, such as interior trim components for motor vehicles, from multi-layered sandwich laminate raw material blanks.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

It is well known to produce laminated molded products, such as interior trim components for motor vehicles, from raw material blanks or webs or mats of multi-layered raw material, for example including thermoplastic fibers that serve as a thermoplastic meltable adhesive and matrix, as well as other fibers serving as a reinforcement or filler. A great variety of different methods and apparatuses for molding such a multi-layered raw material to produce a molded laminated product are also known in the art. For example, such known methods and apparatuses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,794, U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,510, U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,678, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,157, and many others.

The above mentioned methods and apparatuses are typically used especially for producing interior trim components, such as door panels and inserts, dashboards and dashboard inserts, consoles, headliners, parcel shelves and the like, for motor vehicles. Such trim components are generally produced by laminating, molding and cutting a laminated sandwich-type raw material blank formed of multiple layers, for example including a decorate cover sheet, a foam layer, and a structural carrier or substrate layer. The molding process involves heating the raw material and then deforming the heated and softened raw material in a mold apparatus under the required pressure, whereby the several layers of material are laminated and bonded with one another and molded into the desired three-dimensional contoured configuration. The lamination bonding can be achieved using an additional adhesive, or by using thermoplastic fibers of the raw material blank as a hot-melt adhesive. The processing temperatures for the molding processes are typically around 200° C.

The substrate or carrier layer may initially include thermoplastic fibers, for example of polypropylene, forming the matrix and hot-melt adhesive of the substrate, as well as reinforcing or filler fibers, such as preferably natural fibers or other non-melting fibers. For example, these reinforcing fibers can be synthetic plastic fibers, such as polyester fibers, that do not melt or only melt at temperatures greater than the arising process temperatures. The other layers such as a foam layer and/or a decorative cover layer may comprise any conventionally known or future developed materials typically used in the field of this invention. The substrate or carrier layer may also comprise any conventionally known or future developed materials suitable in the field of this invention. The present invention is applicable to the molding of sheet-like or web-like raw materials, or raw material blanks, regardless of the particular material composition or the number of layers thereof.

The conventionally known apparatuses for carrying out the molding of such a laminated sandwich-type raw material blank typically include a machine frame carrying at least an upper mold tool and a lower mold tool that are driven by drive elements such as piston-cylinder devices, so that the upper and lower mold tools are movable relative to each other, and thus form a mold that can be opened and closed. The conventional apparatuses typically further include a control arrangement for controlling the drive elements for moving the upper and lower mold tools relative to each other. Still further, the conventional apparatuses typically include a raw material transport arrangement that grasps, carries and transports a raw material blank to a position between the upper and lower mold tools, as well as a clamping frame or slip frame that takes over the raw material blank from the material transport arrangement and holds the raw material blank in the proper position between the upper and lower mold tools while the molding process is carried out.

Particularly, the slip frame frictionally holds a surplus edge rim of the raw material blank protruding laterally outwardly from the edge of the mold. The slip frame holds the surplus edge rim with a sufficient clamping force to support and hold the raw material blank in position, while still allowing the raw material blank to slip laterally toward and into the mold as the molding deformation of the raw material blank is carried out. Namely, as the upper and lower mold tools are pressed together and thereby deform the raw material blank from its initial flat planar configuration into a three-dimensionally molded contoured configuration, this deformation takes up additional material and thus inwardly pulls the surplus edge rim of the material, which is allowed to slip inwardly through the slip frame. In this regard, for example see U.S. Pat. No. 6,524,510, U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,415, U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,661, U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,880, etc.

The conventionally known apparatuses as described above suffer several disadvantages arising directly due to the use of the slip frame. Most importantly, the use of a slip frame necessarily requires the provision of a rather large surplus edge rim of the raw material protruding laterally beyond the edge of the mold. This surplus edge rim of the material represents waste that is ultimately cut or trimmed from the edge of the finished molded product. For large surface area products, the relative proportion of the edge rim waste is relatively small. However, the edge rim waste becomes gravely significant in connection with relatively small products or products that are relatively narrow but long. In general, the conventionally known methods and apparatuses require a surplus edge rim, and thus ultimately an edge rim waste, of at least 40 to 50 mm on each side of the mold. This is conventionally unavoidable because the conventional slip frame is spaced laterally by at least about 10 mm away from the outer edges of the mold, the slip frame itself typically has a width of at least about 25 mm, and a surplus rim edge protruding at least about 15 mm outwardly from the slip frame is typically left to allow for the slippage during molding as well as to allow a clamp frame or needle frame of a material transport mechanism to grasp the edges of the material. This gives an ultimate material waste of at least 40 to 50 mm on each side of the mold, i.e. on each side of the molded product. This can result in about 20% material waste when molding a typical motor vehicle door panel, for example. Especially when using high value raw materials, such as natural leather cover layers or the like, the amount of material waste becomes a significant cost factor and must be reduced to provide an economic advantage.

A further disadvantage of using a conventional slip frame is that the overall apparatus then takes up a lot of space, i.e. is very large due to the extra space required by the slip frames at the sides of the mold tools. The conventional arrangements thus often take up an unacceptably large space, regardless whether relatively small-area products or relatively large-area products are being produced. As a result, the overall molding system takes up a disproportionately large space and is especially very long in comparison to the length of the product being produced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for molding a sheet-form material to produce a molded product, while avoiding the use of a separate or external slip frame. It is a further particular object of the invention to minimize the amount of material waste at an edge or edges of the molded product. Another object of the invention is to reduce the size and space requirement of a molding apparatus or system. The invention further aims to avoid or overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, and to achieve additional advantages, as apparent from the present specification. The attainment of these objects is, however, not a required limitation of the claimed invention.

The above objects have been achieved according to the invention in a molding apparatus for molding a sheet-form raw material blank to form a molded product. The apparatus comprises an upper or first mold tool including a first inner core mold and a first outer edge mold, as well as a lower or second mold tool including a second inner core mold and a second outer edge mold. The outer edge molds are arranged adjacent to an edge of the inner core molds. Respective drive devices such as piston-cylinder devices drive the first and second outer edge molds relative to a machine frame, so as to open or close the outer edge molds relative to each other. Further drive devices drive the first and second inner core molds relative to the first and second outer edge molds, so as to open or close the inner core molds relative to each other. Thereby, the outer edge molds clamp and hold an edge rim of the raw material blank therebetween, while the inner core molds carry out the three-dimensionally contoured molding of the central main body of the raw material blank therebetween. The outer edge molds hold the edge rim of the raw material blank with sufficient clamping friction to support the raw material blank yet allow slippage thereof (in the manner of a slip frame) as additional material is needed and pulled into the mold cavity between the inner core molds while the three-dimensional deformation of the raw material blank progresses between the inner core molds.

The above objects have further been achieved according to the invention in a method of molding a sheet-form raw material blank to form a molded product. The method can be carried out using an apparatus according to the invention. The method involves providing a sheet-form raw material blank between the first and second mold tools, then moving and clamping the first and second outer edge molds together so as to clampingly hold an edge rim of the raw material blank, thereafter moving and closing the first and second inner core molds together so as to carry out the three-dimensional molding deformation of the raw material blank, while allowing at least some slipping of the edge rim of the raw material blank between the first and second outer edge molds inwardly toward the mold cavity formed between the first and second inner core molds. Finally, the first and second mold tools are opened relative to each other, and the molded product may be removed from the mold cavity.

The molding process involves the application of pressure and heat in any suitable conventionally known or future developed manner and/or range. For example, the raw material blank may have been pre-heated to a required temperature, as well as pre-compressed and pre-laminated, immediately before being positioned between the first and second mold tools for carrying out the molding operation.

The arrangement of the mold tools relative to the raw material blank is preferably such that the edge rim of the raw material blank that is held between the first and second outer edge molds is a permanently remaining edge rim, flange or frame of the finished molded product. For example, the edge rim of the raw material blank received between the outer edge molds may form a mounting frame, welding frame, or riveting frame of the finished molded product, e.g. the finished vehicle interior trim component, by which the trim component will be mounted in the vehicle cabin interior. This remaining edge rim as a permanent part of the finished molded product is preferably a hidden or not-visible edge rim of the trim component in a final installed condition of the trim component. Thus, any mold parting line visible in the molded product, arising at a gap between the outer edge molds and the inner core molds, would be hidden in the final installed condition of the trim component. Alternatively, any such mold parting line must be positioned to coincide with a purposeful design line of the finished molded product. To avoid or minimize any such mold parting line, the gap between the outer edge molds and the inner core molds is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm, and especially only 0.3 mm or 0.4 mm.

Furthermore, the remaining edge rim of the finished molded product has not only been held in a slipping manner by the outer edge molds, but rather has also been compressed, laminated and molded into the final required contour or configuration of the remaining edge rim. For example, this remaining edge rim may be a flat planar rim, or may have a three-dimensionally contoured non-planar configuration. In any event, the outer edge molds thus serve not only to hold the edge rim of the material in the manner of a slip frame, but also to mold the edge rim of the material to form the permanent remaining edge rim of the finished molded product.

The inventive method and apparatus completely omit, exclude and avoid the use of a separate external slip frame for holding a surplus edge rim of the raw material blank next to the edges of the mold tools before and during the molding process. Instead, an internal (non-surplus) edge rim of the raw material blank that will form a remaining edge rim of the finished molded product is slippingly held and molded as necessary by the outer edge molds of the first and second mold tools. Thereby, the resultant edge waste that must be cut off from the edge of the finished molded product is completely avoided or at least reduced to a minimum. Namely, a small surplus edge rim may be provided to protrude outwardly beyond the outer edge molds according to the invention, to provide a margin of safety or operating tolerance of the expected amount of slippage of the raw material during the molding process. For example, instead of the typical conventional 40 to 50 mm of protruding edge waste on each side, the invention may provide 5 to 10 mm of edge waste protruding beyond the outer edge molds at the end of the molding process, just to insure that a larger-than-expected slippage has not caused the material edge to slip inwardly into the outer edge molds (which would create a void or gap of material along the remaining edge rim of the finished molded product).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be clearly understood, it will now be described in connection with example embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram of an elevation view of major components of a first apparatus according to the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic diagram similar to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, but showing a slightly modified second apparatus according to the invention;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, on a smaller scale, showing an initial step in the inventive method;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a schematic diagram similar to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, but showing a subsequent step in the inventive method; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a schematic diagram similar to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, but showing a further subsequent step in the inventive method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS AND OF THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> are basically similar schematic diagrams of two slightly different variants of a molding apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′ according to the invention. First the similar or consistent features of the apparatuses <b>1</b> and <b>1</b>′ will be described, and then the difference will be described.

The apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′ comprises a structural machine frame <b>39</b> supporting an upper or first mold tool <b>2</b>, and a lower or second mold tool <b>3</b>, which are movable relative to one another and relative to the machine frame <b>39</b>. More particularly, the upper or first mold tool <b>2</b> includes a main mold or inner core mold <b>8</b> and at least one outer frame or outer edge mold <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ arranged at at least one lateral edge or a perimeter of the inner core mold <b>8</b>. Similarly, the lower or second mold tool <b>3</b> includes an inner core mold <b>10</b> and at least one outer edge mold <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ arranged at at least one lateral edge or a perimeter of the inner core mold <b>10</b>. The outer edge mold or molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ can extend continuously around the perimeter of the inner core mold <b>8</b>, or can extend merely respectively along two opposite side edges of the inner core mold <b>8</b>. The same considerations apply to the outer edge mold or molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ relative to the inner core mold <b>10</b>.

Preferably, the outer edge molds <b>9</b> and <b>9</b>′ are rigidly connected to and carried by an upper carrier structure <b>30</b>, while the outer edge molds <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ are rigidly connected to and carried by a lower carrier structure <b>31</b>. The upper inner core mold <b>8</b> is preferably nested in a nest space formed by the upper carrier structure <b>30</b> and the outer edge molds <b>9</b> and <b>9</b>′. Similarly, the lower inner core mold <b>10</b> is preferably nested in a nest space formed by the lower carrier structure <b>31</b> and the outer edge molds <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′. The inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> are respectively arranged closely adjacent to, yet smoothly movable relative to, the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′. Various mechanical guides and supports for guiding and supporting the several mold members relative to one another and relative to the machine frame are also not shown in the schematic drawings for the sake of simplicity, because such guides and supports can be embodied in various different ways as understood by a person of ordinary skill according to conventional knowledge and future developments.

Preferably, a lateral gap between the respective inner core mold <b>8</b> or <b>10</b> and the respective outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ or <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ is less than 1 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm, and especially preferably only about 0.3 to 0.4 mm. Thus, the inner core mold <b>8</b> and the outer edge molds <b>9</b> and <b>9</b>′ together form an essentially continuous mold member of the upper mold tool <b>2</b>, and similarly the inner core mold <b>10</b> and the outer edge molds <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ form an essentially continuous mold member of the lower mold tool <b>3</b>. In this regard, the upper inner core mold <b>8</b> has a mold surface <b>23</b> that forms a continuous mold contour with mold surfaces <b>16</b>, <b>16</b>′ and <b>17</b> of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>′ and <b>9</b> when the inner core mold <b>8</b> is properly positioned, and similarly the lower inner core mold <b>10</b> has a mold surface <b>15</b> that forms a continuous mold contour with the mold surfaces <b>18</b>, <b>18</b>′ and <b>19</b> of the outer edge molds <b>11</b>′ and <b>11</b> when the inner core mold <b>10</b> is properly positioned. The two main mold surfaces <b>23</b> and <b>15</b> are generally mutually inverse or mating mold surfaces that form the main mold cavity for laminating, deforming and molding the main central body portion <b>22</b>, <b>22</b>′ of a molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′ to be formed therein.

To achieve and drive the motion of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ relative to each other and relative to the machine frame <b>39</b>, any conventionally known or future developed drive elements and preferably linear drive elements such as piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ and <b>5</b>′ are provided. The piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ drive the upper carrier structure <b>30</b> and therewith the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b> and <b>9</b>′ relative to the machine frame <b>39</b> in a stroke direction <b>4</b>. The piston-cylinder devices <b>5</b>′ drive the lower carrier structure <b>31</b> and therewith the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ with a stroke motion <b>5</b> relative to the machine frame <b>39</b>.

Furthermore, the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> are movable and driven relative to the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ respectively. In this regard, a drive element such as a piston-cylinder device <b>6</b>′ is secured to the upper carrier structure <b>30</b> and drives the upper inner core mold <b>8</b> with a stroke motion <b>6</b> relative to the upper carrier structure <b>30</b> and the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′. Similarly, a drive element such as a piston-cylinder device <b>7</b>′ is secured to the lower carrier structure <b>31</b> and drives the lower inner core mold <b>10</b> with a stroke motion <b>7</b> relative to the lower carrier structure <b>31</b> and the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′.

A controller <b>40</b>, such as a computerized controller executing a suitable control program, controls the operation of the drive elements <b>4</b>′, <b>5</b>′, <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′ appropriately to carry out the molding operation sequence as will be described below. In general, it can already be understood from <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, that the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ form a static reference, relative to which the inner core molds <b>8</b>, <b>10</b> are driven. This is significant for the different functions and operational steps to be carried out by the outer edge molds relative to the inner core molds as will be described below.

The apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′ is employed to deform and mold a multi-layered laminated sheet-form raw material blank <b>12</b> from its initial flat, planar sheet-like configuration into a three-dimensionally contoured molded configuration of a finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′, such as an interior trim component for a motor vehicle. In the present example, the raw material blank <b>12</b> is a two-layered laminated sandwich including, for example, a decorative cover layer or cover sheet <b>13</b> laminated onto a carrier layer or substrate <b>14</b>, which itself may be a multi-layered substrate. The cover sheet or layer <b>13</b> may also include plural different layers, such as a cover skin and a foam layer. In its initial condition, at least the carrier layer or substrate <b>14</b> is in the form of a web, sheet, or mat and preferably comprises thermoplastic fibers that will serve as a meltable matrix and hot-melt adhesive, and preferably additional fibers serving as a reinforcement or filler material. In general, the raw material blank <b>12</b> may include any number of layer or layers, and may comprise any suitable materials that are conventionally known or developed in the future for this purpose of producing a molded component from the initial planar sheet-form raw material blank.

Initially, the mold formed by the upper mold tool <b>2</b> and the lower mold tool <b>3</b> is open to provide an open mold cavity between the upper and lower mold tools <b>2</b> and <b>3</b>, and the flat planar sheet-form raw material blank <b>12</b> is transported into the open mold cavity between the upper and lower mold tools <b>2</b> and <b>3</b> by any conventionally known or future developed sheet material feeder transport mechanism, such as a mechanism including a clamp frame or a needle frame holding the perimeter edges of the raw material blank <b>12</b>. The initial flat planar condition <b>12</b>′ of the raw material blank <b>12</b> is shown by dashed lines in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>. Immediately preceding this, the several layers <b>13</b>, <b>14</b> of the raw material blank <b>12</b> have preferably been pre-heated to the required molding temperature, and pre-compressed, laminated and bonded together to form the raw material blank <b>12</b>. Thus, the raw material blank <b>12</b> in its initial condition to start the molding process is preferably already pre-compressed, pre-laminated and pre-heated to the required molding temperature, when it is transported into the mold apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′.

Once the raw material blank <b>12</b> has been transported into the open mold apparatus, the molding operation begins, by the controller <b>40</b> actuating the piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ and <b>5</b>′ to close the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ toward one another, while the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> remain retracted away from one another so as not to contact the raw material blank. This is the condition of the mold apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′ shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>. At this time, the raw material blank <b>12</b> still has the initial flat planar configuration <b>12</b>′ shown by dashed lines. Thereby, outer edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> are clampingly held between the mold surfaces <b>16</b>, <b>16</b>′ and <b>17</b> of the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>′ and <b>9</b> and the mold surfaces <b>18</b>, <b>18</b>′ and <b>19</b> of the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>′ and <b>11</b>. Thereby, the holding of the raw material blank <b>12</b> is taken over by the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ from the sheet feeder or transport mechanism (not shown). In other words, the edges of the raw material blank <b>12</b> are released from the transport mechanism and instead the raw material blank is held only at its edge rim portions <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> only by the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′.

The molding apparatus <b>1</b>, <b>1</b>′ does not include any slip frame that externally holds the perimeter edges of the raw material blank. Instead, the outer edge molds <b>9</b> and <b>9</b>′ cooperate with the outer edge molds <b>11</b> and <b>11</b>′ to function initially as a slip frame for holding the edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> of the raw material blank <b>12</b> with a suitable degree of holding pressure to hold the raw material blank <b>12</b> with sufficient tension to avoid drooping, sagging or creasing thereof, while permitting the slipping thereof during the further molding process as the raw material blank <b>12</b> is three-dimensionally deformed from the flat planar initial condition <b>12</b>′ (shown with dashed lines) to the final three-dimensional contoured configuration of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′ (shown with solid lines) as will be explained below.

In this regard, in order to ensure exactly the correct required clamp-holding pressure exerted by the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ onto the edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> of the raw material blank <b>12</b>, the fully closed position of the upper outer edge molds relative to the lower outer edge molds is defined, for example, by mechanical spacer or stop members <b>37</b>, which are merely schematically indicated in principal in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Namely, the piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ and <b>5</b>′ drive the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ respectively toward one another according to the linear motions <b>4</b> and <b>5</b>, until the motion is positively stopped by contact of the respective cooperating mechanical stop members <b>37</b> against one another. These stop members may be adjustable, and provide exactly the required spacing distance between the mold surfaces <b>16</b>, <b>16</b>′ and <b>18</b>, <b>18</b>′ and between the mold surfaces <b>17</b> and <b>19</b> of the respective cooperating outer edge molds, depending on the thickness and other characteristics of the raw material blank <b>12</b> for example, in order to achieve exactly the required holding pressure on the edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> of the raw material blank <b>12</b> to allow the necessary slippage thereof.

Next, the controller <b>40</b> actuates the piston-cylinder devices <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′ to drive the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> toward one another according to the linear closing stroke motion <b>6</b> and <b>7</b>, while the outer edge molds remain closed against one another to the extent permitted by the stop members <b>37</b>. Thereby, the mold surface <b>23</b> of the upper inner core mold <b>8</b> and the mold surface <b>15</b> of the lower inner core mold <b>10</b> contact and press against the opposite surfaces of the raw material blank <b>12</b>. The inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> are driven to their final closed position, so as to three-dimensionally deform and mold the raw material blank <b>12</b> under heat and pressure, so as to form the three-dimensionally contoured finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′. The three-dimensional deformation and molding of the raw material blank <b>12</b> necessarily requires additional material to avoid stretching and thinning of the material. This additional required material is provided by the lateral inward slippage of the edge rims <b>20</b>, <b>21</b> being held between the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′.

The slippage of the raw material blank <b>12</b> can be understood in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, by noting the length difference between the initial protruding rims <b>25</b> and <b>26</b> (shown with dashed lines) protruding laterally outwardly from the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ in the initial condition, and the final remaining protruding rims <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ (shown with solid lines) that remain protruding laterally outwardly from the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ after the molding process has been completed. If the required amount of slippage can be exactly pre-determined, and technical tolerances and variations can be minimized or avoided, then the final remaining protruding rims <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ can be entirely avoided or minimized. Nonetheless, the inventive process preferably allows for a small remaining protruding rim <b>25</b>′, <b>26</b>′ of about 5 to 10 mm on each side, to accommodate production tolerances, variations in the actual amount of slippage and the like, to ensure that a greater-than-expected slippage does not cause the edge of the available material to slip inwardly into the mold and thereby form a gap defect at the edge of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′.

In <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, note that the indicated dimension L represents the expected amount of material needed in the initial condition of the raw material blank <b>12</b> to account for the actual contour length of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′ in the pertinent direction. Also note that a small amount of excess material is purposely provided as a “safety margin” as mentioned above, beyond the expected required length L, and this safety margin ultimately forms the final remaining protruding rim <b>25</b>′, <b>26</b>′ after the molding operation is completed. The final remaining protruding rims <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ are ultimately trimmed off as waste. This trimming can be carried out by any conventionally known or future developed stamping, cutting, or trimming apparatus or device (not shown).

While the above description involves independent motion of the upper outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, the upper inner core molds <b>8</b>, the lower outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′, and the lower inner core mold <b>10</b> independently and relative to one another, the arrangement of drive elements and the operation thereof could be simplified. For example, instead of moving both mold members relative to each other and relative to the machine frame, one of the mold members could be held stationary, while only the other mold member moves. Namely, for example, the drive devices <b>5</b>′ could be omitted. In any event, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how to achieve the required relative motions by moving either one or both of the cooperating mold members in each situation. Also, it should be understood that various mold members can be moved simultaneously or sequentially.

When the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> are driven closed relative to each other, the mold closing force applied by the piston-cylinder devices <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′ for the mold closing motion <b>6</b>, <b>7</b> must not be so great as to overcome the closing force of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ and thereby open the outer edge molds. For example, either the mold closing force exerted by the piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ and <b>5</b>′ against the stop members <b>37</b> must be greater than the mold closing force exerted by the piston-cylinder devices <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′, or the outer edge molds must be mechanically locked in the closed position (for example by locking together the stop members <b>37</b> once they reach the stopped contacting condition). If applicable, the mechanical locking of the closed condition of the outer edge molds can be achieved in any conventionally known or future developed manner, for example involving the insertion of a locking pin into aligned locking holes of components of the opposite mold members, or the engagement of a locking hook or locking bail over a locking stud, or the like. In any event, the locking mechanism in the locked condition must withstand the molding forces exerted by the piston-cylinder devices <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′ in excess of the forces applied by the piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′ and <b>5</b>′, if applicable, to maintain the closed condition of the outer edge molds acting as a static reference and as a slip frame during the molding operation by the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b>.

Moreover, the mold surfaces <b>16</b>, <b>16</b>′, <b>17</b>, <b>18</b>, <b>18</b>′ and <b>19</b> of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>′, <b>9</b>, <b>11</b>′, <b>11</b> serve not only for the slip-allowing holding of the raw material blank <b>12</b>, but also for the compression, lamination and molding of the edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> of the raw material blank <b>12</b>. In this regard, the edge rim <b>21</b> may have a simple flat planar configuration achieved between flat planar contours of the mold surfaces <b>17</b> and <b>19</b> at the right side of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> (and similarly for both edge rims by the mold surfaces <b>16</b>, <b>17</b>, <b>18</b>, <b>19</b> at both the left and right sides in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>), or the edge rim <b>20</b> can be deformed to a three-dimensionally contoured and molded configuration between correspondingly non-planar contoured mold surfaces <b>16</b>′ and <b>18</b>′ of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>′ and <b>11</b>′ as shown at the left side of the apparatus <b>1</b>′ in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. In this regard, the applied molding force must be sufficient to achieve the desired three-dimensional deformation, yet the properly adjusted stop members <b>37</b> still must ensure that the material of the edge rim <b>20</b> can slip laterally inwardly during the molding process by the inner core molds as necessary.

Thus, the above mentioned minor difference or modification of the apparatus <b>1</b>′ according to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> relative to the apparatus <b>1</b> according to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> merely involves the just-mentioned provision of a three-dimensional contour of the mold surfaces <b>16</b>′ and <b>18</b>′ of the outer edge molds <b>9</b>′ and <b>11</b>′ in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> to form a non-planar contoured edge rim of the molded product <b>24</b>′, relative to the flat planar mold surfaces <b>16</b> and <b>18</b> in the embodiment of the apparatus <b>1</b> according to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> to form a flat planar edge rim of the molded product <b>24</b>.

It should also be noted that the embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 to 5</figref> involves the initial condition <b>12</b>′ of the raw material blank <b>12</b> lying along a horizontal plane <b>35</b> (see <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>), but the embodiment of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> makes clear that such a horizontal plane for the initial clamped condition <b>12</b>′ of the raw material blank <b>12</b> is not necessary. In other words, in the initial condition <b>12</b>′ of the raw material blank <b>12</b> held by the outer edge molds in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the central body portion <b>22</b>′ of the raw material blank <b>12</b> extends along a slightly sloping non-horizontal plane. Various different configurations can be carried out as needed in this regard, depending on the required final molded configuration of the molded product and other considerations.

After completion of the above described molding process, the upper and lower mold tools <b>2</b> and <b>3</b> are opened by retracting the several piston-cylinder devices <b>4</b>′, <b>5</b>′, <b>6</b>′ and <b>7</b>′. The resulting finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′ is cooled and thereby solidified or rigidified to maintain its three-dimensionally molded contour as shown by solid lines in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>. In this regard, the mold members may be cooled by circulating a tempering fluid through channels therein, or additional cooling devices can be provided to cool the molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′ after it is removed from the molding apparatus.

In the finished condition, the initial protruding rims <b>25</b> and <b>26</b> have at least partially slipped laterally inwardly as the edge rims <b>20</b> and <b>21</b> were pulled inwardly to allow the three-dimensional deformation of the raw material blank <b>12</b> during the molding process. A small final remaining protruding rim <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ may remain on each side. Any such remaining protruding rim <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ is trimmed off by any suitable cutting or trimming devices. The edge rim <b>20</b>, <b>21</b> (including the extra material that was pulled-in during the molding process) remains as a permanent edge rim of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′. For example, this edge rim may form a mounting frame, welding frame, riveting frame, or finished flange of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′. In any event, it is significant that the material of the edge rim <b>20</b>, <b>21</b> that was slippingly held between the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ remains as a permanent edge rim portion of the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′.

Since the small gap (less than 1 mm) between the outer edge molds and the inner core molds may form a small visible mold parting line on the finished molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′, the product is preferably positioned relative to the mold so that this parting line coincides with a purposeful design line of a visible portion of the molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′, or will ultimately be covered and hidden from view in the final installed condition of the molded product <b>24</b>, <b>24</b>′, or will be covered by a further trim strip or the like.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 to 5</figref> are simplified schematic views illustrating successive stages or steps of the inventive method, which has been described in detail above and will now by summarized with reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 to 5</figref>.

As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, to start the process, the raw material blank is transported (e.g. from a pre-heating and/or pre-laminating and/or pre-compressing station, not shown) in its flat planar initial condition <b>12</b>′ into the open mold cavity between the retracted upper mold tool <b>2</b> and lower mold tool <b>3</b>. Then, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′, <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′ are closed relative to one another so as to clampingly hold the edge portions of the raw material blank while allowing slippage thereof. Next, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the inner core molds <b>8</b> and <b>10</b> are driven closed with respect to each other relative to the outer edge molds, so as to three-dimensionally deform and mold the main body or inner core portion of the raw material blank <b>12</b>. During this molding process, the required extra material is provided by slippage of the edge portions of the raw material blank between the outer edge molds <b>9</b>, <b>9</b>′ and the outer edge molds <b>11</b>, <b>11</b>′. Thereby, the larger initial protruding rims <b>25</b> and <b>26</b> have been partially pulled inwardly by slippage to leave only small final remaining protruding rims <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ in the final molded condition. Only these final remaining protruding rims <b>25</b>′ and <b>26</b>′ (e.g. 5 to 10 mm) are trimmed off as waste, or may be entirely avoided by exact dimensioning of the raw material blank in its initial condition. On the other hand, the edge rim of the material clamped between the outer edge molds remains as a permanent rim portion of the finished molded product <b>24</b>.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be appreciated that it is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the appended claims. It should also be understood that the present disclosure includes all possible combinations of any individual features recited in any of the appended claims.